Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Participants: 10 participants aged between 16 and 18 years old.
Instructors: Laila Kolostyák and Ali Badri
Location: Gymnasium, Lycée Pierre Corneille - Rouen
A Unique Connection
The gymnasium Pierre Corneille, located in the heart of Rouen, has a special connection to Norway. For over a hundred years, Norwegian students have had the opportunity to spend three years at a French gymnasium, learning the French language and culture, thanks to an agreement between France and Norway. Nine students from both Norway and France, and one teacher participated in the Peacepainting workshop, which was conducted in French. Rouen holds historical significance for Norway, as the Norwegian Saint Olav the Holy was baptized in the cathedral, highlighting deep-rooted ties between the two countries.
Collaboration Through Culture
Through the connection of Bodø2024 with Jean Gabriel Guyant, who is involved in Rouen's candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2028, a collaboration was established for a workshop at Pierre Corneille gymnasium. Jean Gabriel Guyant actively promotes Rouen's candidacy as the European Capital of Culture in 2028, and he played a pivotal role in facilitating this collaboration.
Expressing Through Art
During the workshop, the students worked outdoors in the courtyard of Pierre Corneille gymnasium. Throughout the workshop, they used their creativity to paint images that reflected their own thoughts on daily life and the times they are living in. This provided them with an opportunity to express themselves through art and share their perspectives on the world.
Inspiring Unity
This Peacepainting workshop in Rouen was an inspiring experience that brought together youth from Norway and France through art. It reminds us of the importance of promoting peace and understanding between nations and cultures, and how art can be a powerful tool in achieving this goal. We look forward to seeing how these paintings will contribute to Peacepainting's peace-building work and inspire others to follow their example.
Some of the Paintings Created
A Bloody Winter Night
In the world today, there is so much misery. The red is meant to be the blood that falls on the earth. In the times we live in, it is important that we find joy in all the sorrow. And it is important that we stick together in peace. The snow is meant to symbolize this.
- Martine Matre, Rouen, France
A Breath of Fresh Air
The air and the good feeling one gets in the forest.
- Nora Hanken, Rouen, France
Freedom
The sea gives me freedom.
- Solfrid Steinsland, Rouen, France